Mandatory DIWASS system for cross-border waste shipments from May 21, 2026.
From May 21, 2026, the use of the EU’s DIWASS (Digital Waste Shipment System) will become mandatory in cross-border waste shipment procedures. This change is part of a broader reform of EU waste management regulations and aims to fully digitize procedures related to international waste shipments.
Legal basis for the changes
The obligation to use the DIWASS system was introduced by Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 of the European Parliament and of the Council of April 11, 2024, on shipments of waste, amending Regulations (EU) No. 1257/2013 and (EU) 2020/1056 and repealing Regulation (EC) No. 1013/2006.
Although the regulation entered into force in 2024, the EU legislator provided for a transition period to allow public administrations and businesses to prepare for the implementation of IT solutions. As a result, the obligation to use DIWASS will apply from May 21, 2026.
What is DIWASS?
DIWASS is a central IT system operated by the European Commission for the exchange of information and documentation on cross-border waste shipments. In particular, it will enable the electronic submission of notifications concerning cross-border shipments of waste, the transmission of accompanying documentation for shipments, and communication between businesses and the competent authorities of Member States.
DIWASS will replace the existing paper forms and documentation used in cross-border waste shipment procedures, while the system will become the primary channel of communication between businesses and the competent authorities of Member States on matters related to cross-border waste shipments.
Who is covered by DIWASS?
The obligation to use the DIWASS system applies to entities involved in the cross-border shipment of waste, in particular businesses shipping or receiving waste, as well as other entities involved in the organization or implementation of its transport.
This obligation will apply regardless of whether the shipment of waste takes place under the prior written notification and consent procedure (the “notification procedure”)
or on the basis of the information procedure set out in Article 18 of the Regulation, with these procedures being handled exclusively in electronic form from May 21, 2026.
Key practical implications
EU Regulation 2024/1157 provides that information and documents relating to both the notification procedure and the information procedure will be transmitted via the DIWASS system.
- Notification procedure
As part of the notification procedure, the DIWASS system will be used in particular to transmit:
- the notification document and additional information required in accordance with Annex II to the Regulation;
- all correspondence between the notifier and the competent authorities in the context of the procedure for granting authorization for the notified shipment;
- decisions of the competent authorities concerning the notified shipment;
- transport documents for individual shipments.
2. Information procedure
In the case of the notification procedure, the DIWASS system covers in particular:
- the form set out in Annex VII to the Regulation;
- the contract between the person organizing the shipment and the consignee referred to in Article 18(10) of the Regulation.
Registration in the system and identification of entities in DIWASS
The DIWASS system will be available for use after the entity has been registered in the system. According to information provided by the European Commission, the registration process is to start in April 2026. Access to the system will be provided both through the European Commission’s website and through commercial software integrated with the central system (enabling automatic data exchange with DIWASS), provided that interoperability requirements are met.
Registration in DIWASS will be carried out by a user who is a natural person representing a given entity. The condition for successful registration will be having an active EU Login account and appropriate authorization to represent the entrepreneur (resulting from an entry in CEIDG/KRS or from a power of attorney). In the case of entities based in Poland, registration will be subject to approval by the Chief Inspectorate for Environmental Protection (GIOŚ) after verification of the entity’s data and the authorisation of the person making the application.
Entities are to be identified in DIWASS by means of a main identification number, which will be the European Tax Identification Number (EORI), if it has been assigned to the entity. For entities that do not have one, the identification rules will be determined at the national level – it is planned that in such cases, the NIP (tax identification number) will serve as the main identification number.
In addition, other registration numbers determined at the national level will also be used in the DIWASS system, including in particular the NIP (unless it serves as the main number), REGON, and the BDO registration number.
Provisions applicable to notifications before May 21, 2026
The Regulation provides for a transitional period during which notifications for which the competent authority has issued a confirmation of receipt before May 21, 2026, will be subject to the existing provisions of Regulation (EC) No. 1013/2006. Notifications that do not receive such confirmation before that date will be subject to the new rules set out in Regulation (EU) 2024/1157, which means that the existing procedure will be discontinued and it will be necessary to start the entire procedure again via the DIWASS system.
How can we help?
Our law firm offers comprehensive support to businesses preparing to implement the new obligations under Regulation (EU) 2024/1157. We help identify the obligations applicable to specific business models, offer advisory services on both notification and information procedures, and support companies in preparing for registration in the DIWASS system.
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